NSA Whistleblower Edward Snowden has given his first interview since he revealed himself in an interview with the Guardian on Sunday.
Talking to Hong Kong newspaper the South China Morning Post, Snowden explained why he had picked the city as his safe-haven.
“People who think I made a mistake in picking Hong Kong as a location misunderstand my intentions. I am not here to hide from justice; I am here to reveal criminality,” Snowden told the SCMP. He added that he had many chances to escape Hong Kong but would rather stay and fight the case in Hong Kong's courts.
“My intention is to ask the courts and people of Hong Kong to decide my fate,” Snowden told the newspaper.
There had been speculation about why Snowden had chosen Hong Kong. The whistleblower had reportedly checked out of his hotel on Monday, and there has been talk that he may try to gain asylum in Iceland.
It is not clear if SCMP reporter Lana Lam met Snowden in person, though managing editor Sarah Graham told Business Insider this morning that Lam "only got back a couple of hours ago" and "there’s more to come as and when we can get it out."
The Daily Telegraph spoke to Lang Xiangwei, SCMP editor, who told them that Snowden had been interviewed“from a secure location in Hong Kong.”
"The overall arrangements taken for the interview and multiple sources contacted before the interview lead us to believe the subject is indeed Snowden."